NUKES

My name is Alexander Mikhalchenko and this is my nuclear-themed blog. Here I share interesting and rare materials.

[NUKES @atomicarchive]

If you would like to purchase high resolution photos of nuclear tests, military aircraft, missiles and nuclear subs, please email me and request a catalog with 720 preview photos. The result of my archival research since 2012.

[email protected]

[NUKES @atomicarchive]

@HmztY41889 I don't know, I found this photo in the "Tumbler Charlie test" series. Besides, the film "Duck and Cover" was released in January 1952.

[NUKES @atomicarchive]

Children practicing the «Duck and Cover» protection method with a real atomic bomb explosion in the background. The photo was taken in Nevada, 40 km from the epicentre. 1952.

[NUKES @atomicarchive]

@EK14MeV There's little information about this amazing photo, so thanks for this interesting fact!

[NUKES @atomicarchive]

On May 31, 1957, the British boosted fission atomic bomb «Orange Herald» with a yield of 720 kilotons was tested on Malden Island in the Pacific. It is thought that the fusion boosting failed to increase the yield. The largest pure-fission bomb ever tested.

[NUKES @atomicarchive]

«Tobacco» nuclear test, 11.6 kilotons, Eniwetok atoll, 2:15 p.m. May 30, 1958. Unsuccessful test of XW-50 thermonuclear warhead, expected yield — 175 kt, 2nd stage failed to ignite.

[NUKES @atomicarchive]

«Zuni» thermonuclear test, 3.5 Megatons, Bikini Atoll, 5:56 a.m. May 28, 1956. First test of 3 stage device. «Clean» version using lead tamper, 85% fusion.

[NUKES @atomicarchive]

«Yellowwood» nuclear test, 330 kilotons, Eniwetok Atoll, 2:00 p.m. May 26, 1958. This was a LASL developmental test of a «clean» TX-46 thermonuclear warhead design. The predicted yield was 2.5 Megatons.

[NUKES @atomicarchive]

280mm atomic cannon during a field exercise in southern Germany, 1950s. Photo by Elvin Pauls.

[NUKES @atomicarchive]

May 25, 1953, a 280 mm cannon fired the W9 nuclear artillery projectile, which detonated with a yield of 15 kilotons above Frenchman Flat in Nevada. This was the first and only nuclear projectile to be fired from a cannon.

[NUKES @atomicarchive]

Radioactive cloud after 3.8-Megaton thermonuclear explosion near Bikini Atoll. Photos by J.R. Eyerman. 1956.

[NUKES @atomicarchive]

«Cherokee» nuclear test, 3.8 Megatons, 1325 m burst height, Bikini Atoll, 5:51 a.m. May 21, 1956. This was the first U.S. air drop of a thermonuclear bomb.

[NUKES @atomicarchive]

«Harry» nuclear test, 91 m tower, 32 kilotons, Nevada test site, 5:05 a.m. May 19, 1953. Due to a miscalculation and change in wind-direction, this test released an unusually large amount of fallout

[NUKES @atomicarchive]

@whatisnuclear What year?

[NUKES @atomicarchive]

@ida_dru Digital files, professional scans, 300 dpi or higher.

[NUKES @atomicarchive]

If you'd like to purchase high-resolution photos of nuclear tests, military aircraft, missiles, etc., please request a preview catalog via email:

[email protected]

[NUKES @atomicarchive]

On 14 May 1955, the US conducted the «Wigwam» nuclear test at a depth of 660 m with a yield of 30 kilotons — the most powerful underwater nuclear test in history. The test was conducted in the Pacific Ocean, some 800 km from the coast of California.

[NUKES @atomicarchive]

«Castle Nectar» nuclear test, 1.69 Megatons, Eniwetok Atoll, 6:20 a.m. May 14, 1954. The «Zombie» TX-15 device was a radiation imploded fusion boosted fission bomb, 80% of its energy release from fission.

[NUKES @atomicarchive]

«Koa» thermonuclear explosion, 1.37 Megatons, Eniwetok Atoll, 6:30 a.m. May 13, 1958. The test was conducted in a large water tank.

[NUKES @atomicarchive]

«Encino» thermonuclear test, 500 kilotons, air burst 1679 m, Christmas Island, May 12, 1962. This free-fall drop tested the LASL-designed XW-43Y5 warhead. The mushroom cloud rose to 19 km.

[NUKES @atomicarchive]

«Butternut» nuclear test, 81 kilotons, barge, Eniwetok Atoll, 6:15 a.m. May 12, 1958. TX-46 primary test.

[NUKES @atomicarchive]

«Fir» thermonuclear test, 1.36 Megatons, barge, Bikini Atoll, 5:50 a.m. May 12, 1958. «Clean» 2-stage TN device, 93.4% fusion yield.